ØjeRum Calls Into Existence A Calming Nightmare That Is, ‘Without Blood the Sun Darkens’

Have you ever had a dream where you’re suddenly wandering through an endless field of waist-high meadow grass, with the wind blowing slightly, just enough to cause the meadow to sway back in forth in unison. As the green meets the blue at the horizon, you spot an old house in the distance so you make you’re way there without hesitation. Slowly, you climb the broken wooden steps and transverse the splintered planks on the porch and realize the house is completely dissipated and the front door has been left slightly ajar. As you make your way into the house, your attention is drawn to the forsaken antique relics throughout. A feeling of sorry comes over you for no apparent reason, and you feel ashamed for the unknown legacy of the houses’ past. On the kitchen table is a photo album, covered in dust, with initials in the bottom right corner. Those initials are yours. The pictures inside are of you. You’re stuck in this dream forever….well, for the next hour at least because that the exact melancholic emotion one would feel upon listening to the latest ØjeRum opus called, ‘Without Blood The Sun Darkens’.

With just a single track, covering nearly an hour of time, ØjeRum provides a proper soundtrack to the inner darkness you never knew you had. One would think that deep drones and evil soundscapes would be the ultimate device for gripping the terror in you’re mind. However, that is not the case here. Trance-like organ patterns that repeat over and over again, are just as threatening to the psyche as anything else. The calmness of this track is so intense, it continues to draw you in and requires repeated listens just to understand how thought provoking it really is.

As with all of ØjeRum’s albums, he creates the magnificent collage artwork as well. It not only adds to the story, but it draws you in even before the first listen. ‘Without Blood The Sun Darkens’ is an astonishing piece of work and Cyclic Law have added another great artist to their lineup. Support this amazing label and artist by downloading this album!

Link:

https://cycliclaw.bandcamp.com/album/without-blood-the-sun-darkens

Ugorim – The New Breed Of Dungeon Synth Has Arrived!

Dungeon synth has been around for ages and the influential beginnings – to this day – are still debatable. However, as with any genre of music, over time there will be growth, the introduction of new elements, and overall changes that may not be accepted by some. Take Ugorim, for instance. In just two month, they’ve released two demo’s of some of the most amazing music that’s been release this year, and it doesn’t sound like your typical DS recording.

August 3, 2019 saw the release of the second demo, ‘Lost Scriptures Of The Twilight Coven’. Containing six tracks of medieval-style dungeon synth, there is so much more on here than on your common DS album. The addition of drums on the second track, “Where Arcane Deities Gather”, adds a welcomed element that thickens the sound quite a bit. “Forgotten Guardian Of The Twilight” has a very eerie, trance-like feel that sounds like it could fit right in with a Trent Reznor/Atticus Ross Soundtrack recording. “Crypt Beneath The Forest” has the most traditional old-school DS sound on the album but also contain the live drum element to give it a more powerful sound.

When it comes to modern Dungeon Synth, Ugorim is the band to watch out for. In just under two months, they’ve released two outstanding demo’s, ‘Catacombs Of The Shrouded Mage’ and ‘Lost Scriptures From The Twilight Coven’. Although these demos vary in song structure, they are similar in the fact that they offer so much variance to the DS community. Please click on the link believe and support this outstanding up and coming DS band.

Link:

https://ugorim.bandcamp.com/album/lost-scriptures-from-the-twilight-coven

Scott Lawlor & The Flesh, Full Of Black Sand Culminate Greatness on ‘Unseemly Sequenced Conscience’

Isn’t dark ambient a wonderful thing? Throughout the years – and with the help of expanding technology and more keen-eared artists – dark ambient has taken on a massive life form of its on, even producing multiple sub-genre’s to distinguish the many soundscapes that make up this wonderful culture. Of these sub-genre’s, space ambient seems to be taking off (no pun intended) into the outer limits of our hearing zone! Space ambient is usually known for its super long track lengths, droning tones that give you that feeling of claustrophobia, and ethereal soundscapes that provide a launchpad to endless reaches of the universes. If a dark ambient track can accomplish all of these, then in my opinion, it’s a successful space ambient recording.

‘Unseemly Sequenced Conscience’, the third collaboration effort by Scott Lawlor and The Flesh, Full Of Black Sand, accomplishes all of that and then some. In this single track, seventy six minute opus, they take us on a horrific journey through deep space as if we’ve been traveling for decades in the confined quarters of a spacecraft on a one-way mission to nowhere. I love the song intro, as it reminds me of the quirky sounds that are heard while walking through Disney’s Space Mountain attraction. I can imagine the imaginary protagonist that this journey portrays heard those exact same sounds as he left earth decades ago, knowing his fate of never returning. As the song slowly drones on, the sounds thicken, to represent the endless travels through the unknown regions of deep spaces. As claustrophobia starts to set in, the silence becomes deafening, and the layers of sound builds and climaxes several times.

The production on this recording is crystal clear and the mix is a bit louder than on the previous two collaborations by these two stellar artists. As the droning fades in and out, there isn’t any loss of clarity in the track, easily paving the way for additional elements to be introduced throughout. Although this single-track album is seventy six minutes long, there is so much going on that before you know it, the song is over with and you’ll be wanting more.

This is an excellent representation of dark ambient and the space ambient sub-genre and I’m definitely a fan! Scott Lawlor & The Flesh, Full Of Black Sand are on to something here and I hope to hear many more collaborations from these artists. Don’t pass this one by, head on over to the link below and support this awesome body of work!

Link:

https://scottlawlor.bandcamp.com/album/unseemly-sequenced-conscience

‘Ata Amutar’ Is A Compelling, Yet Icy Cold DS Treasure!

Since 2017, the Wayfarer has been quite the active artist. Not only does he provide the harsh tones in the dungeon-noise project Abyssu, but he is also the visionary behind his main namesake project, Wayfarer. In that short period of time, he’s released six albums on Hungary’s Eldest Gate Records.

The latest album, ‘Ata Amutar’ is five tracks of icy cold dungeon synth that has a very minimalist old-school vibe. Clocking in at around fifty minutes, these tracks are epic in length and provide the listener the type of medieval soundscape necessary to escape into an alternate reality full of fantasy and battle torn, wintery wastelands.

The album starts with “Black Become The Sun” and it takes us on a near ten minute journey filled with eerie and dreadful tones that sets a precedence for the rest of the album. Other standout tracks include “Landscape I” and “Landscape II”, adding touches of dark ambient and fantasy soundscapes to broaden the dynamics of the album.

Lately, the Eldest Gate Records Bandcamp page has become my go to site for the best in DS music and Wayfarer has become one of my favorite artist in the genre. Whether you’re new to the Dungeon Synth scene or are a fan from way back, Wayfarer has something to offer that is inviting for everyone and ‘Ata Amutar’ is a modern masterpiece!

Link:

https://eldestgaterecords.bandcamp.com/album/ata-amutar

In Quantum Brings Us The CyberPunk Reality Of The Apocalyptic Future!!

The Cryo Chamber Label has been on a roll lately, but then again, when haven’t they. In 2019 alone, they’ve consistently released some of the most genre-bending dark ambient releases in existence. Adding to that track list of greatness is label newcomer In Quantum, bringing fourth their debut of CyberPunk Ambient called, ‘Memory 417’.

Sounding more like a cinematic score, ‘Memory 417’ contains elements of soothing ambient drones, soundtrack-like soundscapes, the occasional vocal narration, and anything in between that enhances the element of this massive story.

As with most dark ambient albums, it’s hard to just pick a track and listen to it as albums like these (specifically on the Cryo Chamber & Cyclic Law labels) need to be listened to from start to finish. There is so much to take in, and so many elements to this story, you can’t just listen to one or two songs and be done. However, that being said though, there are several standout tracks such as, “Dream”, “Sarapis”, and “Odyssey”.

If you’re a fan of cinematic ambient and the Cryo Chamber Label, chances are you’ve already heard this masterpiece. However, if not, I recommend hitting the link below and and downloading this right away as it’s probably one of the best dark ambient releases of the year!

Link:

https://cryochamber.bandcamp.com/album/memory-417

Old-School DS from Alabama!!

Nameless King, from Huntsville Alabama just recently dropped his second album of old-school medieval dungeon synth via his Bandcamp page (link below). Anyone familiar with the DS genre knows that it can take on many forms! In my opinion, Nameless King is one of the stand-out artists of the genre, as the arrangements are beautifully crafted to include acoustic passages, and layered textures that combine melody and soothing instrumentation. After just two albums – released in as many months – Nameless King is proving to be a grand force in the kingdom! Don’t sleep on this album, as it’s probably one of the best DS releases this year so far!

Disciple Of The Dark Sun:

https://namelessking.bandcamp.com/album/disciple-of-the-dark-sun

The Gregorian Chants Of Metatron Omega!!

As with most genre’s of music, Dark Ambient contains several sub-genre’s to accommodate for the vast array of sounds and subtleties that don’t quite fit in with each other. There is the stark coldness of polar ambient, the hollow drones of space ambient, cinematic dark ambient, heavy field recording ambient, soundscape ambient, so on and so fourth. Whatever the case may be, each sub-genre has a small distinction from the other but still maintains the basics for achieving dark ambient greatness. Metatron Omega play a very distinctive type of dark ambient that is heavy on Gregorian Chants, cathedral type choirs, and the occasional spoken word/chant. What’s even better, Metatron Omega (Scorpio V) is a master of his craft and writes exceptional dark ambient tunes. 

Metatron Omega currently has 4 releases available on the Cryo Chamber Label (best Dark ambient label around) and they are “Gnosis Dei” (2015), “Sanctum” (2016), “Illuminatio“ (2017), and “Evangelikon” (2019). Each one of these albums is absolutely incredible and I would recommend adding them all to your Dark Ambient collection.

Cryo Chamber Bandcamp:

https://cryochamber.bandcamp.com/music

Aufhocker – Dungeon Synth plus so much more!!

Canada’s Aufhocker is the Dungeon Synth/Neoclassical Darkwave project of Andru Jorj. Since November of 2017, Aufhocker has released a staggering 27 releases and it doesn’t look like he’s letting up anytime soon! Now, I know what you’re thinking – there is no way that he can maintain a pace like this with consistent relevance. However, that can’t be further from the truth. Aufhocker finds a way to keep things interesting from album to album with everything sounding the same. The latest album, “False Confessions” is already one of my favorite Dungeon Synth releases of 2019. If you’re familiar with Aufhocker, what’s your favorite album?

False Confessions Bandcamp page:

https://aufhocker.bandcamp.com/album/false-confessions

Ruptured World release new Dark Ambient masterpiece!!

Ruptured World, the brainchild of Alistair Rennie, just delivered its high anticipated follow up to last years monumental release, “Exoplanetary” called “Archeoplanetary”. Continuing the story of Dr. Archibald Macrae, Ruptured World has a knack for including resonating spoken word with beautiful soundscapes, field recordings and acoustic instruments. Although there are only 2 releases on the Cryo Chamber label (and 3 releases overall – that I’m aware of), Ruptured World epitomizes the term Dark Ambient and is one of the most unique artists in the genre today. Let me know what you think about Ruptured World?

Links:

Archeoplanetary Bandcamp Release:
https://cryochamber.bandcamp.com/album/archeoplanetary

Ruptured World web site:

http://rupturedworld.com